CBI Cracks NEET-UG 2026 Paper Leak Case with Arrest of Pune-Based Chemistry Professor Identified as Mastermind

The CBI has apprehended Professor P.V. Kulkarni in Pune, alleging he leveraged his position as an NTA paper-setter to leak NEET-UG questions through exclusive, high-priced coaching sessions

May 16, 2026 | Pune: In a significant breakthrough for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Professor P.V. Kulkarni, a prominent chemistry lecturer from Pune, naming him the primary “source” of the 2026 paper leak. Kulkarni, a domain expert who has long served on the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) question-setting panels, was taken into custody from his residence following an intensive three-day probe that has so far seen seven arrests nationwide.

The federal agency alleges that Kulkarni exploited his privileged access to confidential examination material to conduct illicit coaching sessions just days before the May 3rd exam. During these private classes, the professor allegedly dictated specific questions, options, and correct answers to a select group of students who reportedly paid several lakh rupees for access. Forensic analysis confirmed that the handwritten notes seized from students’ residences matched the actual NEET-UG 2026 question paper with absolute precision.

The investigation further revealed a sophisticated network of middlemen. Kulkarni allegedly collaborated with Manisha Waghmare, arrested earlier this week, to mobilize affluent candidates. The leak’s trail extended through multiple cities, including Nashik, Jaipur, and Gurugram, involving transactions ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹12 lakh per student. The CBI has seized numerous electronic devices and incriminating documents during nationwide raids, which are currently undergoing forensic examination to retrieve deleted communication trails.

With over 23 lakh candidates affected by the compromised exam, the NTA had escalated the matter to central agencies after receiving reports of malpractice on May 7. As the CBI continues to trace the financial footprint of the operation including suspicious transfers across 21 bank accounts the arrest of Kulkarni marks a pivotal step in dismantling the syndicate that undermined the integrity of the national medical entrance process.

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